EHC31[Thomson 2860].4

2/6/04

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>>Reviews Portable video
Key Features Audio/Video portable Jukebox 3.5in colour screen Plays MP3, MP3Pro, MPEG-4 20GB hard disc drive memory 80 hours of video 300 hours of music 100,000 JPEG images Mac and PC compatible Battery Life: 4 hours video, 12 hours audio Comes supplied with car lighter power adaptor Connections USB 2.0 CompactFlash slot Composite video input/output Line level input Line level output Headphones socket Dimensions 135(w) x 80(h) x 24(d)mm

Thomson LYRA PDP2860

Shaun Marin goes on the road with Thomsons video jukebox
Play forward/back toggle On screen menu selection Menu selection jogger dial

Record on/off button

CompactFlash slot
Volume adjust rocker switch
HE PORTABLE VIDEO MARKET IS A mixed up place at the moment. Until recently, if you wanted to watch movies while roaming the countryside, you either had the choice of a portable DVD player or a laptop computer. But now theres a whole new option: the video jukebox. Thomsons LYRA PDP2860 may not be the first video jukebox equally French rival Archos actually produced one in the second half of last year but its the first from what we in the UK would think of as a high street brand. Its pretty similar in terms of specifications to the Archos unit, but to our eyes the Thomson edges it on looks, with its smart silver finish and intriguing control buttons. At the heart of the PDP2860 is a 20GB hard disk drive with a 3.5in screen bolted onto the side. Its capable of holding around 80 hours of video recorded from the TV, up to 300 hours of music and, if you are into digital photography, an amazing 100,000 JPEG images. As on many portable DVD players there are no speakers, so youll need a pair of decent headphones try a pair of Sennheiser PX200s to get the most out of it. The screen is pretty decent and is good

ESSENTIAL HOME CINEMA

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The Thomson PDP2860 is the best video jukebox on the market at the moment
enough for the resolution of images recorded directly from television (the max recording resolution is 320x240 pixels). However, even though it gives you the impression of being widescreen, its actually a 4:3 LCD, which although a slight disappointment at first, isnt too bad, as most of your TV recordings will be in that format anyway. And recording off the TV is what the 2860 is designed to do. You can transfer files from your PC onto it it has a super-fast USB 2.0 connection for just this situation but youll need to find some way of converting your existing files into the MPEG-4 format, as Thomson has decided not to bundle the software to do it. Recording is simple enough, though. It comes with a Scart adaptor and cable, which you run between the unit and your TV. You then simply press Record. Theres also a timer which can only be set to three hours ahead, so its limited. Once the recording is on the 2860, watching it is just as easy, thanks to the innovative dual button control method, which works well, even though accessing video files occasionally seems to drag. When you do get to them, picture quality is refreshingly good. Off-air broadcasts are colourful and have decent detail levels considering the resolution, although the occasional blocking issues hark back to the bad old days of DVD. Using an application downloaded from the internet, files imported via USB offer better quality, so its a shame you have to work so hard to get it. Sound quality is also decent (once youve What we like about this portable video player Simple to use Just an all-round fantastic idea What we dont like about this portable video player The LCD needs to be widescreen Battery life isnt long enough yet upgraded the cans) and the Thomson sounds better than its Archos rival with both movies and MP3 music. Theres plenty of bass on offer, and as long as you keep the sampling rate of your music high, it never sounds thin or too harsh. With a claimed battery life of four hours when viewing videos, youd think the Thomson had enough juice to get you through two movies. However, turning up the volume to levels you can hear on an aeroplane soon sees the energy reserves running low, and wed stay away from an extended edition of any of the Lord of the Rings movies if you dont want it to end in disappointment. That said, the supplied cigarette lighter adaptor makes it easy to use when youre a car passenger, and the cassette adaptor means you can share your tunes with other people too although it would only serve to annoy a driver if you just played a movie soundtrack on the road. The Thomson PDP2860 is more a step in the right direction than a born leader. Its the best video jukebox on the market at the moment, but that might change soon, with new products in the offing from Sony and also Apple, which has long been rumoured to be about to launch a video version of its iconic iPod. Still, if you want movies on the move, havent got a laptop and dont fancy stretching to a portable DVD player, then this is your best bet by some way.

HomeCinemaVerdict

Sales 4444 Web www.thomson-lyra.com

Essential

REMOTE CONTROL The PDP2860 doesnt come with a remote control, which is only really an issue if you plan to leave it in your bag when listening to music on it.
EASE OF USE LOOKS FEATURES PICTURE SOUND VALUE
VERDICT Thomsons early venture into the video jukebox market sets a good pace and is great fun on the move. However, serious competition is just over the horizon.

Overall

BEST RIVALS
Archos AV-320 Goodmans GCE 5000 CyberHome CH-LDV 710

PDP 2860

Video Player and recorder 20GB hard disc drive

FEATURES

VIDEO PLAYER and RECORDER (mpeg4 - SP)

BENEFITS

Stores up to 80 hours of videos
Line-in plug / line-out plug
Connect your player to an analog source (TV) to record video in MPEG-4 SP or to watch videos and view photos in JPEG Up to 600 hours of music (mp3PRO* at 64 kbps) with 20 GB HDD, record from analog stereo sources to mp3 format (300 hours in mp3) Direct photo transfer from a digital camera
Audio Player (mp3PRO*, WMA), Audio Recording (mp3)
Compact flash type 1 slot for external memory card

9 cm LCD color display

Watch videos and view photos wherever you are

USB 2.0 connectivity

Highspeed transfer computer files

Full Accessory Kit

Music Management Software, USB Cable, AC/DC Adapter, Audio/Video Cable, Car Kit, Carrying Case, Earbud Headphones

Technical Data :

BRAND Brand DIGITAL PLAYER On board memory format External memory format Compatibility DSP DSP (2) DSP (3) Port Hold function Computer compatibility Hard disc drive TUNER Tuner type FM frequencies Memory VIDEO Video quality recording levels HQ 25h Video 1.8 Mbps/Audio 128 SP40h Video 1.2Mbps/Audio 96kbps LP 80h Video 768kbps/Audio 96kbps Video Recording Resolution Video PlayBack Resolution (1) Video PlayBack Resolution (2) AUDIO Audio quality recoring levels (mp3) HIGH 192 kbps - CBR MID 128 kbps (default setting)-CBR LOW 96 kbps - CBR DIGITAL PHOTOS JPEG image palyback Simultaneous JPEG with mp3 in slideshow Zoom / Rotate Compact Flash (type 1) Interface CONNECTORS A/V input/output jack (mm) DC jack (mm) Headphone jack (mm) DISPLAY Display type QVGA Display indicator Display indicator (2) Display indicator (3) Remote control Backlight ACCESSORIES Computer connection AC/DC adaptator Batteries Audio cable Car Kit Headphone Belt clip Carry bag Strap Software Others HARDWARE REQUIREMENT Processor PC / Mac Operating System PC Internet Navigator Hard disk space CD Driver capability USB port Sound card Video Card MAC Operating System GENERAL DATA Dimensions (W x H x D) main unit Packaging diemensions (W x H x D) Weight (Net / Gross) in kg Master carton (W x H x D) / Weight in kg Units par Master carton EAN code Master carton EAN code 135 x 80 x 24 mm Value 0.3 / 1.22 Value Value 3244480119877 Value 500 MHz or Higher Win 98SE, Me, 2000 & XP Explorer 5.0 / Net Access 50 MB for software only digital audio extraction Yes Yes 16 Bit Color OSX - ver.10.1.5 or higher USB direct Yes, universal 1 x Lithium ION rechargeable Audio/ Video Line In-Out cable Yes Earbud headphones Yes MusicMatch 3.5" (9 cm) large color TFT LED 320 x 240 Volume / low battery / Folder list Play mode / Folder name Elapsed time / Volume / Battery Yes (brightness adjustment) 2,5 mm Stereo + CVBS 3,5 mm 3,5 mm max 3,3 Mio pixels size Yes Yes Yes 320 x 240 pixels (at 30 fps) Up to 720 x 480 (D1) at 24/25 fps Up to 640 x 480 (VGA) at 30 fps Compact Flash (type I) mp3+ mp3 PRO*+WMA+mpegFlat / Bass / Rock / Pop Jazz USB 2.0 Yes PC + Mac 20 GB LYRA * mp3 PRO upgrade : 2nd quarter 2004 (check thomson-lyra.com)